ABSTRACT
Human sexual orientation is an active topic of psychological research, with much attention focused on possible underlying endocrine factors. Promising results derive from studies of animal models, “natural experiments” involving human endocrine disorders, genetic variation in hormone receptor function, and biomarkers of hormonal signaling. Here, we review the current state of evidence concerning the effects of hormones on sexual orientation. Available evidence suggests that adult hormone levels have little effect on sexual orientation in contrast with early “organizational” hormonal influences. Specifically, fluctuations in androgen levels during periods of prenatal and neonatal development may influence brain regions associated with sexual orientation.
